Information Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Nov. 26, 2025: The Miss Universe Group is going through its most intense scrutiny in years after a sequence of explosive allegations – from claims of discriminatory decision-making to resignations by contestants and nationwide administrators – triggered a world debate about equity, transparency, and whether or not racial bias performed a task within the 2025 outcomes.
The controversy erupted after Miss Universe president Raul Rocha allegedly urged that Miss Côte d’Ivoire, Olivia Yacé, was not topped as a consequence of her “passport” limiting journey. The comment – made throughout a livestream and extensively circulated by pageant bloggers – sparked outrage throughout African and Caribbean communities, particularly since Yacé was thought of a front-runner.
Miss Guadeloupe Ophély Mézino, who completed within the Prime 12, condemned the reason as “the worst excuse” she had ever heard.
“Did you allow them to compete understanding they’d by no means win?” she wrote on Instagram. “Are you looking for a racist excuse for the truth that you didn’t select somebody who was extremely certified for this job?”
Mézino additionally questioned why smaller territories — lots of them Afro-Caribbean or African — make investments closely in franchise charges if they’ve “no actual likelihood” of advancing.
To her data, she added, Côte d’Ivoire’s Yacé additionally holds an American passport – making the “visa” rationalization much more questionable.
“My coronary heart is burning. I don’t like injustice,” she wrote.
Days later, Yacé introduced she was reducing ties with Miss Universe totally, relinquishing her continental title. “To stay true to my values – respect, dignity, excellence, equal alternative – I have to step away,” she wrote. “I name upon Black, African, Caribbean, American, and Afro-descendant communities: proceed coming into areas the place you aren’t anticipated.”
She returned her sash and formally notified the group that she would not be affiliated with the MUO.
The president of the Miss France group, Frédéric Gilbert, advised Paris Match that the franchise is contemplating withdrawing totally after studying in regards to the “Past the Crown” program – a little-known MUO initiative that allegedly influenced Prime 30 placements with out the data of some nationwide administrators.
“All of us pay a license payment,” Gilbert stated. “They must clarify themselves. We’re not the one nation asking whether or not to proceed.”
Miss France delegate Eve Gilles ended her run on the Prime 30.
Teri Brown-Walker, nationwide director for Miss Universe Guyana and co-director for Ghana, resigned on Nov. twenty fourth.
Her assertion cited:
- Alleged interference in nationwide choice
- Rising, inconsistent franchise charges
- Stress to decide on between Miss Universe and Miss Cosmo
- “Threats and restrictions” affecting her enterprise
“This was disheartening and unfair,” she wrote.
Brigitta Schaback resigned days after competing, saying her values “don’t align” with the nationwide director. The Miss Universe Estonia group countered that she violated professionalism clauses — deepening the general public notion of inside disarray.
The MUO has not been accused formally of racism — however the public dialog is rising louder.
The elements fueling this query embody:
- The “weak passport” rationalization disproportionately impacts African and Caribbean contestants.
- Two of essentially the most extensively anticipated frontrunners — each girls of African descent — didn’t win.
- A number of Afro-descendant contestants and administrators publicly expressed frustration with “lack of respect,” “injustice,” and “systemic drawback.”
- A number of resignations and national-director warnings got here from international locations with massive African diaspora populations.
The 2025 version started with 120 international locations — the biggest in historical past — however ended with:
- resignations
- public rebukes
- threats of withdrawals
- accidents to contestants
- and a brewing reputational disaster
Mézino’s ultimate phrases captured the temper throughout social media:
“It is a humiliation. A scarcity of respect for the contestants, the households, the individuals who put a lot power into your model. How will you disrespect international locations like that?”
The Miss Universe Organization has not issued a brand new response as of press time.
In the meantime,Rocha, the president and co-owner of the Miss Universe Group, is reportedly going through severe allegations in Mexico after the Legal professional Normal’s Workplace (FGR) sought an arrest warrant accusing him of involvement in organized crime — together with alleged trafficking of gas, medicine and firearms.
The explosive claims have been detailed in a report by Reforma, printed simply days after the 2025 Miss Universe pageant — already mired in controversy over decide resignations, contestant confrontations and scoring disputes.
In accordance with Reforma, Rocha — a businessman and honorary Guatemalan consul in Mexico — is accused by authorities of being linked to a felony community that allegedly smuggled gas alongside the Usumacinta River earlier than transporting it by truck into Querétaro.
This as a Bangkok courtroom has issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, co-owner of the Miss Universe Group, after she failed to seem in courtroom on Tuesday in a 2023 fraud case.
Jakrajutatip, beforehand launched on bail, didn’t inform officers of her absence, main the courtroom to deem her a flight danger and reschedule the listening to for Dec. 26, in line with the Related Press.
Her firm, JKN World Group, bought Miss Universe in 2022 earlier than promoting a 50% stake in 2023 to Legacy Holding Group USA, owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú. JKN is accused of dishonest investor Raweewat Maschamadol throughout a 2023 corporate-bond deal that Maschamadol says price him roughly $930,000. He says Jakkaphong and JKN misrepresented the corporate’s monetary well being when promoting him the bonds. JKN ceased making investor funds in 2023, successfully erasing the worth of the company bonds.
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